News

Deputies arrest alleged drug dealers

By Bill Moss, Published: March 19, 2018

Henderson County sheriff’s deputies arrested three men on drug charges in separate cases this month.

On the morning of March 15, deputies saw a male, standing next to a vehicle blocking the roadway on Pilgrim Drive near Mine Gap Road. After further investigation, they discovered that the individual possessed approximately 23 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a concealed handgun. John Conway Popson, 30, of Pisgah Forest was charged with maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place for controlled substances, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and/or deliver methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine, all felonies, and misdemeanor counts of carrying a concealed handgun and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also charged on an outstanding warrant for resisting, delaying, or obstructing a public officer, three outstanding warrants for arrest on counts of felony possession of schedule II controlled substance and one for driving while license revoked, and an outstanding warrant for arrest on misdemeanor larceny.

Popson was jailed under a $45,000 bond.     

Members of Henderson County Sheriff’s Office’s Crime Suppression Unit conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Brooklyn Avenue and Airport Road on March 7. The driver was Donald Allen Jones, 36, of 406 Jack Street. During the traffic stop, several bags of methamphetamine, along with various items of drug paraphernalia, was located within the vehicle. Jones was charged with Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, and/or Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia. Jones was jailed under an $8,600 bond.

Drug Enforcement Team detectives went to 25 Thunder Bay Lane as part of a drug investigation on March 2. Detectives met with the homeowner and upon further investigation, detectives located and seized methamphetamine, various prescription pills and drug paraphernalia. Detectives later obtained warrants on the home owner, Roy Leo Barnwell, 54, and charged him with felony counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and/or deliver Schedule IV  and possess of methamphetamine and misdemeanor counts of possession of Schedule II, possession of Schedule IV and possession of drug paraphernalia.

When officers went to serve the warrants on March 9, they arrested Barnwell and located and seized additional methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.  Barnwell was charged possession with intent to manufacture, sell and/or deliver methamphetamine and maintaining a dwelling for the use of controlled substances, both felonies and misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was jailed under a $28,300 bond.